馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Kwara targets 1.2 million women and children for free healthcare program
via Punch Nigeria10 min read
The Kwara State Government plans to provide free healthcare services to approximately 1.2 million women and children during the 2026 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, scheduled from June 8 to June 12. This initiative, implemented across all 16 local government areas, aims to enhance maternal and child health outcomes and broaden access to essential primary healthcare. Prof. Nusirat Elelu, Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, announced that the program will offer integrated services to pregnant women, children under five, and eligible nine-year-old girls at no cost. Services include routine immunisation, Vitamin A supplementation, deworming, nutrition screening, growth monitoring, antenatal care, birth registration, HIV prevention services, and Human Papillomavirus vaccination for eligible girls. The program targets over one million children under five, about 200,000 pregnant women, and more than 7,000 eligible nine-year-old girls. Preparations are complete, with trained health workers, strengthened logistics, and community mobilisation efforts. Services will be available at primary healthcare centers and outreach locations like markets and palaces. School-based health teams will administer HPV vaccines to reduce cervical cancer burden. Elelu commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's investment in healthcare and acknowledged development partners' contributions, urging participation to reduce maternal and child mortality.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Lagos emergency responders successfully contained two separate fire incidents on Thursday, preventing major disasters and recording no casualties. In Ikotun, a gas-laden tanker caught fire after striking a road bump, causing the driver to lose control and a tire to burst. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency LASEMA, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Federal Road Safety Corps, and Nigeria Police collaborated to extinguish the blaze and manage traffic. LASEMA Permanent Secretary Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu urged motorists to obey speed limits. Separately, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed a fire at the electronics section of a Justrite Superstore in Egbeda-Akowonjo. Controller General Margaret Adeseye reported that firefighters quickly contained the fire, which preliminary findings suggest originated from an alternative power source, specifically the building's solar inverter system. Both incidents were brought under control with no loss of life or injuries.
The Abia State Police Command has confirmed the mysterious death of five members of the same family in Umuimo, Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area. The victims, identified as Mr Kachi Nnabugwu, his wife, Chinaza, and their three children, were found dead inside their residence on Tuesday. The incident was reported to the Osisioma Divisional Police Headquarters on July 22, 2026, by the deceased's brother after he was unable to reach them. Upon forcing entry into the house, the lifeless and decomposing bodies were discovered. Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, stated that detectives visited the scene, conducted a preliminary visual inspection, and took photographs. The bodies have been deposited at the morgue for preservation and autopsy, with investigations ongoing. Residents reported the family was last seen on Saturday, July 18, and neighbors forced entry after repeated failed attempts to contact them. Containers of leftover food and a generator were reportedly found in the building. The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear.
Credit extended to Nigeria's private sector reached N83.3tn in June 2026, marking a 2.8 percent increase from N81tn in May. This data comes from the Central Bank of Nigeria's latest Money and Credit Statistics. Conversely, credit to the government saw a 0.99 percent decline, falling to N40tn in June from N40.4tn in May. Consequently, net domestic credit grew by 1.5 percent to N123.3tn in June, up from N121.42tn the previous month. This rise in private sector lending indicates that banks are continuing to provide credit to businesses and households, even with the Central Bank of Nigeria's high-interest rate policy. Analysts suggest that sustained credit growth could foster business expansion, investment, and overall economic activity. However, there is also a concern that if credit growth outpaces the economy's productive capacity, it could lead to increased inflationary pressures. The figures highlight a persistent demand for financing despite the Central Bank of Nigeria's tight monetary policy, which aims to control inflation and stabilize prices.